Apparatus for finishing surfaces



Sept. 27, 1966 L. E. STATLER ET AL 3,275,048

APPARATUS FOR FINISHING SURFACES Filed July 6, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 \NVENTORS: .EDWLLL E. ETATLER,

FHA U$IGEYA.H. .KELLEJZ.

ATTORNEY p 27, 1966 1.. E. STATLER ET AL 3,275,048

APPARATUS FOR FINISHING SURFACES Filed July 6, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS! LEM/ELL .E'. 5 TATLER, EHA UNEEYAJZ. KELLER BY C9 W ATTORNEY Sept. 27, 1966 STATLER ET AL 3,275,048

APPARATUS FOR FINISHING SURFACES v Filed July 6, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 240 254 04 754 l 2/0 1' I /A\ 2 2 2 r 200 INVENTORS .L UWELL .E. 5 TATLEH CHA ZINL'EY.A.H.KELLEJI B Y 276 276' M i'TORNEY United Statesv Patent 3C6.

3,275,048 APPARATUS FOR FINISHING SURFACES Lowell E. Statler, Bellevue, Ohio (Clyde, Ohio), and Chauncey A. R. Keller, Clyde, Ohio Filed July 6, 1961, Ser. No. 122,258 3 Claims. (Cl. 144-115) This invention relates to apparatus for finishing surfaces and more especially to an apparatus for cutting, scraping, planing, finishing or refinishing wood and other surfaces such as stone, terrazzo, cement and composition and more particularly surfaces. of bowling alleys, gymnasiums, classrooms, lobbies, halls, walks and the like and to a method of finishing surfaces whereby the surfaces will be substantially free from cutter or planer marks.

Heretofore surfaces of wood, stone, terrazzo, cement or composition have been refinished through the utilization of rotary surfacing mediums such as rotary knives, rotary scrapers, rotary and cylindrical sanders and the like and such surfacing media tend to form circular or irregular tool marks so that the finished surface is marred and is not smooth. It is especially desirablev that the surfaces of bowling alleys be finished or refinished perfectly smooth and level.

Where a bowling alley surface is finished or refinished through the use of a rotary or cylindrical finishing machine, there is no assurance that the finished surface is horizontal and level and heretofore it has been virtually impossible to remove a uniform amount of material throughout the length of the alley.

Similar difficulties are encountered in finishing wood floors through the use of rotary cutting devices or rotary or cylindrical sanders. It has therefore required considerable skill on the part of an operator of a rotary cutter or rotary or cylindrical sanding machine or floor finishing machine to surface finish a floor or a bowling alley sur face that 'is reasonably level or horizontal.

The present invention has for an object the provision of apparatus for scraping, planing, finishing or refinishing floors, bowling alley surfaces and the like through reciprocatory motion of cutting devices or surfacing tools thereby eliminating cutter or tool marks in the finished surface.

Another object of the invention resides in a floor finishing and refinishing apparatus employing reciprocatory scraping or planing devices or cutters which may be operated by an unskilled operator and attain a substantially smooth unblemished surface.

An object of the invention resides in an apparatus espe- .cially usable for finishing or refinishing bowling alley and other surfaces wherein sections or surface areas of :the bowling alley or other surfaces are progressively finished or refinished to provide a level or horizontal surface without tool marks.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a floor or surface finishing apparatus adapted for planing or. scraping surfaces such as bowling alleys or floors used in connection with track means for a bowling alley or other surfaces or the same may be equipped with v the cutter or planing devices but bearing more heavily 3,275,048 Patented Sept. 27, 1966 upon the high spots and less heavily on the low spots, the resilient cushioning means also functioning to reduce vibration of the cutters or'planing devices during surface finishing operations. 7

Another object of the invention resides in an apparatus for finishing surfaces embodying a cutter, scraper or planer unit which may be adjusted with a greater or lesser vertical angle with respect to the surface to be refinished and may be adjusted in order to obtain the most efficient planing or finishing action of the cutters or planers on the surface being finished.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which: I

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal elevational view of a bowling alley illustrating an elevational view of one form of surface finishing apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of a form of surface finishing apparatus of the invention particularly usable for finishing the surface of a bowling alley;

FIGURE 3 is a rear end elevational view of the surface finishing apparatus shown in FIGURE 2 disposed on a bowling alley;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the construction shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary enlarged detail sectional View taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view of a modified form of apparatus especially adapted for finishing floor surfaces;

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10; i

FIGURE 12 is an elevational View of the structure shown in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1313 of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a view similar to FIGURE 13 showing an angular adjustment of the scraping or cutting instrumentality of the apparatus, and

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary elevational view of the cutting knives or blades illustrating the method of'supporting the same.

The arrangement illustrated in the drawings embodies two forms of apparatus, one of which is especially adapted for finishing the surfaces of bowling alleys and the other of a character particularly adapted for finishing or,.refinishing wood floors or large surface areas.

With particular reference to FIGURES 1 through 7, the form of apparatus disclosed therein is especially adapted for finishing or refinishing bowling alley surfaces. FIGURE 1 illustrates the surfacing unit of the invention as particularly employed for finishing the upper surface 10 of a bowling alley 12, the pin-receiving sump of the alley construction being shown at14. In the finishing or refinishing of bowling alley surfaces the invention is inclusive of a portable frame 15 which may be progressively advanced along the alley during finishing operations, the surface planing or. finishing unit being supported by track means carried bythe frame whereby the surfacing unit is movable longitudinally of the portable frame to progressively finish a bowling alley surface.

The portable frame construction for guiding the surfacing unit is inclusive of longitudinally extending frame members or rails 18 arranged in parallel relation and joined by cross members 20 and 21. Mounted in the side frame members 18 are upwardly extending legs 22, 23, 24 and 25, the legs 22 and 23 being mounted on one frame member and the legs 24 and 25 being mounted on the other frame member.

Three'of the legs are mounted for adjustment in a vertical direction by adjusting nuts 31 in order to level the frame 15 on the bowlingalley surface. The legs are respectively provided with pads or feet designated 26, 27, 28 and 29, the feet or pads being adapted to directly rest upon the bowling alley surface.

The legs 22 through 25 are of the same length, and serve as a means for indicating a level position of theframe 15 on the bowling alley during finishing operations. As shown in FIGURE '1, a target member 32 is mounted on an end wall of the alley construction. A transit or theodolite 34 is adapted to be positioned adjacent the opposite end of the alley surface 10.

The transit 34 is adapted to align the target 32 with the upper ends of the legs 22 and 23 to define a horizontal plane, the distance between the surface and the target being indicated at A and the vertical distance from the surface 10 to the axis of the transit being indicated at A, the distances A and A being identical. It will be noted in FIGURE 1 that the frame carrying the surfacing unit may be several feet in length and is adapted to be periodically advanced along the alley 12 as successive areas of the alley are finished or refinished by the surfacing unit carried by the frame 15.

Plumb means are provided for attaining transverse positioning of the frame 15 so that the frame may be adjusted transversely to secure a horizontal or level finish transversely of the alley.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the posts 24 and 25 are provided with projections 42, and depending from each projection is a line 43 supporting at the lower end a plumb bob 44. A suitable index point is inscribed in the upper surface of the adjacent frame member 18. When the plumb bobs 44 are in alignment with the point indices on the frame member, the frame will then be in a horizontal or level position. frame may be had by manipulation of the nuts 31 show in FIGURE 3.

The surfacing unit 45 is illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. The surfacing unit 45 is inclusive of a base, base frame or plate 46 formed of metal and which is of sub-.

stantially rectangular shape and is of a thickness of onehalf inch or more. The same is preferably fashioned of ferrous metal and is of a weight of several hundred pounds in order to provide stability and damping of vibration during floor or finishing operations.

Secured to the upper surface of theplate or base frame 46 are pairs of journal blocks 48 and 50. Journaled in the blocks 48 is a shaft 52 and journaled in the blocks 50 are stub shafts 54. Secured on the extremities of the shaft 52 are grooved wheels 56 and similar grooved wheels 58 are secured on the shafts 54 as shown in FIG- 'URE 2. The frame 15 is equipped with rods 60 extending in parallel relation and lengthwise of the frame, the rods providing tracks or ways engaged by the pairs of grooved wheels 56 and 58 of the surfacing unit in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 whereby the surfacing unit is guided in a direction lengthwise of theframe 15 in carrying on surface finishing operations.

Means is provided for driving the shaft 52 and the wheels 56 .to move the surface finishing unit lengthwise of the tracks 60. Mounted upon the plate 46 is a housing 62 enclosing suitable speed reducing gearing (not shown).

The adjustment of the The shaft of the motor 64 is provided with a pulley 65 connected by a belt 66 with a pulley 67 mounted upon a shaft 68 journaled in the housing 62 and connected with the speed reducing gearing in the housing. 1

An output shaft 70 driven by the, speed reducing gearing is provided with a pulley 71 connected by a belt 72 with a driven pulley 73 fixed on the shaft 52. By energizing the motor 64 to rotate in one direction the unit 45 is powered for movement in-one direction at a comparatively slow speed through the speed reducing gearing or mechanism contained within the housing 62..

By reversing the direction of rotation of the motor 64 the surfacing unit 45 is moved in a reverse direction along the ways or tracks 60. It is to be understood that a reversible clutch means may be embodied inthe housing 62 associated with the speed reducing gearing for changing the direction of movement of the carriage in lieu of the reversible motor 64.. V

The base plate or member 46 provides a carriage for mounting the floor surfacing or scraping instrumentalities, cutter or blades. As shown in FIGURE 4, the-re is se cured to the lower surface of the plate 46 two pairs of blocks or fittings 76 and 78.

Each of the blocks or fittings 76 and 78 is provided with a channel or passage and disposed in each pair of passages are rods or members 80 and 82, the rods being slidable with respect to the blocks or fittings. The rods 80 and 82 form reciprocable crossheads for mountingthe fioor scraping or surfacing head 84, shown in FIGURES 4 through 7.

The surfacing head 84 includes a transversely extending bar or member 86. i As shown in FIGURES, the bar 86 is secured by means of a threaded member 88 with each of the crossheads 80 and-82.. A'port-ion 89 of the member 88 is threaded into a bore in the bar 86 and a shoulder portion 90 is disposed in an opening in the bar, a head 91 of member 88 holding the member 86 in assembled relation to the adjacent crosshead 82.1 The member or bar 86 is secured to the crosshead 80 by a member 92 of the same construction as the member 88.

A driving means is provided for reciprocating the crossheads 80 and 82 and the transversely arranged bar 86 carrying the scraping or surfacing head 84 whereby to impart reciprocatory movement to the bar 86 in the direction of the slidable movement of the crosheads 80 and 82. Mounted upon the plate or base memb'er46 is an electrically energizable motor 96 controlled by conventional switch means (not shown). Journaled in suitable bearings contained or supported by the base 46 are shafts 9s and 100. Each'of the shafts 9s and 100 is formed with an eccentric 102, each eccentric being embraced by a journal fitting 104. A

Secured to each journal fitting 104 is a connecting rod 106 and adjustably secured to each connecting rod 106 is a rod or member 108. Each rod 108 is provided with a ournal portion 110 which is pivotally connected to the bar 86 by a pin or stub shaft 112 as'shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6. Each of the rods 108 is provided with a threaded portion 114 threaded into a bore in the end of the adjacent rod 106 providing for adjustment of the bar 86 with respect to the connecting rods. Lock nuts1116 are provided cooperating with the threaded portions 114 for locking the rods 108 with respect to the connecting rods 106.

with a pulley 122. A'driving belt 124 engages or embracesthe pulleys 118 and 122 whereby the shafts 98 and 100 are simultaneously driven at identical speeds by the motor 96. It will beseen that-through the medium of the eccentrics 102, the rotation of the shafts'98 and 100 cause reciprocatory movement of the bar'86 by the conmeeting rods 106 and the coupling rods 108. Through this arrangement the bar 86 is reciprocated through the same distances throughout its length.

One form of cutting or surfacing means is illustrated in FIGURES 5 through 7. The'bar 86 of the surfacing head is provided with a longitudinal channel 130 in which is mounted an elongated cutter or blade holder 132, the holder 132 being secured in the channel 130 'by means of setscrews 133, one of which is shown in FIGURE 5.

The cutter holder 132 is provided with a lengthwise arranged channel to accommodate a single elongated cutter or planer or, as illustrated, a plurality of cutters, blades or planers 136 which are of comparatively short length as shown in FIGURE 7.

The cutters 136 are provided with a resilient backing member or cushion 138 which may be fashioned of semihard rubber, plastic or other suitable material which tends topreven-t vibration or chattering of the cutters or scrapers during surfacing operations. When the surfacing unit is employed for finishing a bowling alley surface, it is preferable to employ a single elongated cutter or planer in lieu of the plurality of cutters 136, but the latter may be employed for the purpose if desired.

The holder 132 is provided with a plurality of bores 139, a bore being provided adjacent the central region of each cutter 136. Disposed in each of the bores is a detent or ball 140 which is biased toward the adjacent cutter 136 under the influence of an expansive spring 142 as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. The detents 140, under the influence of the springs 142, serve to frictionally retain the cutters or scraper blades 136 in the holder 132 in aligned relation as shown in FIGURES 5 through 7. If desired, a thin metal plate (not shown) may be disposed between thedetents 140 and the cutters or blades 136.

It should be noted that the channel 130 in the bar 86 is arranged at an angle of several degrees with respect to a vertical plane.

Through the angular relation of the channel and hence the angular position of the holder 132, an edge 144 of each cutter blade 136 is canted or tilted so as to present a cutting or planing edge engaging the surface of the alley or other surface to be finished or scraped. The angularity of the blade or scraper 136 may be modified by employing a holder 86 having a channel 130 of different angularity or by adjusting the angularity of the blade or scraper by other suitable means.

As shown in FIGURE 7, the opposite vertical sides or edge regions of each of the cutting blades or planers 136 must be in parallel relation providing square configurations in order that the cutting edge regions 144 will be aligned to properly engage the surface to be planed or finished.

A typical series of operations in finishing or refinishing a surface 10 of a bowling alley is as follows: The frame is positioned at the starting region or an end region of the alley 12 and the transit 34 disposed and aligned with the target 32 and the upper ends of the rods or legs 22 and 23. The legs of the frame 15 are adjusted until the plumb bobs 44 are in registration with their index points so that the frame 18 is horizontal or level. The surfacing unit is then moved to the extreme right end ofthe frame 15 and the end of the alley 12 as viewed in FIGURE 1.

The motor 96 is energized to effect successive reciprocations of the crossheads 80 and 82, the bar 86 and the cutters 136.

The operator energizes the motor 64 to establish a drive to the shaft 52 and the wheels 56 whereby the unit 45 is moved comparatively slowly but at a uniform speed in a right-hand direction as viewed in FIGURE 1. Suitable electric power supply cables or conductors of flexible character are connected with the motors 64 and 96 to facilitate relative movement of the surfacing unit.

During lengthwise movement of the unit 45, the reciprocating action of the cutters 136 planes or finishes the surface 10 of the alley. This action continues until the finishing unit 45 approaches the right-hand end of the frame construction 15 and the motors 64 and 96 deenergized. The frame 15 is then moved in a right-hand direction lengthwise of the alley 12, as viewed in FIG- URE l, to a succeeding position and the carriage 45 is moved to the left end region of the frame 15 by reversing the motor 64. The motor 64 is then reversed and motor 96 energized to reciprocate the cutters 136 and again slowly advance the surfacing unit 45 toward the righthand end of the frame 15 in its second position while the cutters are performing surfacing operations.

After surfacing operations have been completed for the length of the frame 15, the frame 15 is again moved to a succeeding position and surfacing and planing operations resumed as above described. This continues until the entire length of the surface 10 of the alley 12 is completely planed or surfaced by the apparatus.

It has been found that the blades or planers 136 may be set at angles of between eight degrees and twenty degrees with respect to a vertical plane for satisfactory finishing operations. The cutters 136 may be made of steel, metallic carbide, ceramics, diamonds or similar materials. As hereinbefore mentioned, a solid single cutting blade or surfacing instrumentality may be used for finishing bowling alley surfaces in lieu of the multisectional blades 136.

FIGURES 8 through 15 illustrate a modified form of the surface finishing or refinishing apparatus of the in- 'vention. The arrangement illustrated in FIGURES 8 through 15 is a self-propelled type especially adapted for finishing wood, terrazzo, cement or composition floors of large areas such as gymnasiums, classroms, lobbies, halls, walks, walls or the like and is adapted for traverse over the surface to be finished or refinished Without track means.

The construction is inclusive of a substantially rectangular base or frame plate which is of substantial thickness and formed of cast or sheet metal, the weight of which together with the Weight of the other components of the construction tends to eliminate or avoid vibration of the floor surfacing cutters or planing devices. The construction is of portable character and secured to the forward portion of the base plate 160 are brackets 162 provided with stub shafts 164 on which are journaled casters or wheels 166 adapted to engage the floor to be surface finished, Dead weights may be added to or removed from the frame plate in order to vary the pressure on the cutting instrumentalities in engagement with the surface to be finished.

Each of the brackets 162 is swivelly mounted by means of anti-friction or ball bearings 168 whereby the casters 166 are rendered dirigible. A steering means including a vertically disposed shaft 170 provided with a tiller type handle 172 is connected with the dirigibly supported brackets 162 by conventional linkage (not shown) whereby angular movement of the tiller or handle 172 controls the dirigibly supported brackets 162 for steering the apparatus in directions desired. A seat 174 supported upon a spring member 176 is secured to the frame plate 160 by means of bolts 177 enabling the operator to ride upon the apparatus.

Secured to the rear portion of the base plate 160 is a second pair of brackets 178 provided with stub shafts 179 on which are journaled casters or wheels 180 which engage the floor. The castors or wheels 166 and 180 are preferably provided with rubber-like treads. Supported upon the plate 160 is a transmission housing 182 containing speed reducing mechanism controlled by control handle 184, the speed reducing mechanism or gearing being of conventional character. An electrically energizable motor 186 is connected with an input shaft 187 for driving the speed reducing mechanism contained within the housing 182.

The output shaft 189 driven by the mechanism within the housing 182 is equipped with a pulley 190. Journally 7 supported by the brackets 178 is a shaft or bar 192 the periphery of which is adapted for frictional engagement with the rubber treads or peripheral surfaces of the casters or wheels 180 to establish a friction drive for the casters or wheels.

Fixedly mounted upon the shaft 192 is'a pulley 194 connected with the pulley 190 by means of a belt 196. The control lever 184 may be arranged to actuate a clutch to control the drive to the casters or wheels 180.

The speed reducing mechanism within the housing 182 is of a character to propel the apparatus over the floor surface at a comparatively low speed of from five to fifteen feet per minute and the speed reducing mechanism is preferably of a variable type in order to vary the speed of propulsion of the apparatus. Any suitable conventional variable speed transmission mechanism or speed reducing gearing may be employed for the purpose.

The surfacing head or unit construction 200 is adapted to be reciprocated in directions lengthwise of the base plate or frame 160. The plate 160 is provided with openings to accommodate fittings or bushings 202, the bushings forming journals for stub shafts or pins 204. Each of the pins 204 is provided with a thrust collar 206 which engages the lower end of each bushing 202. Secured to each stub shaft 204 is an oscillating arm or member 210, each member 210 being adapted to oscillate or pivot about the axis of the adjacent stub shaft 204.

One end of each of the members 210 is provided with a pin 212 to which is connected a clevis 214. A connecting rod 216 is connected with each of the clevis members 214, as shown in FIGURE 9. Mounted upon the base plate or frame member 160 is a pair of journal blocks or members 220 in which are journally mounted stub shafts 222, shown in FIGURE 8.

Secured to or formed integrally with each of the stub shafts 222 is a pully 224. Supported upon the base plate 160 is an electrically energizable motor 228, the shaft 229 of which is provided with a pulley 230.

A driving belt 232 embraces or engages the pulleys 230 and 224 whereby the motor driven pulley'drives the pulleys 224, the pulleys 224 being of the same size so as to rotate at the same speed. Provided upon each of the pulleys 224 is a crank pin 234, each crank pin being eccentric with respect to the axis of the adjacent stub shaft 222. Each of the connecting rods 216 is provided with a boss portion 236 which is bored to accommodate the adjacent crank pin 234 whereby rotation of the stub shaft 222 and the crank pin associated therewith effects lengthwise reciprocation of each of the connecting rods 216 to effect oscillation of the beams or members 210.

As the distances from the axis of each of the shafts 204 to the axis of the pins 212 are identical, the arms 210 are oscillated to the same extent by reciprocation of the connecting rods 216. The structural arrangement of the floor surfacing head or unit 200 is' best illustrated in FIGURES 11 through 15. Secured to the opposite end regions of each of the members 210 is a shaft or member 240 which may be secured to the member 210 by swaging the portion 242 in engagement with the upper surface of each of the members 210.

Each of the members 240 supports at its lower end the inner race of an anti-friction or ball bearing 246, the outer race 248 of each of the anti-friction bearings 246 being of partial spherical curvature or shape as particularly shown in FIGURES l3 and 14.

The cutter or scraper holding means or head 200 is inclusive of an elongated bar 250 preferably of L-shape cross-section asshown in FIGURES 13 and 14, the L- shaped configuration providing for stability of the cutter supporting arrangement. Secured to the member 250 are brackets 254 fastened by screws. 256. The member 250 may be of rectangular cross-section. a

The brackets 254 are each formed with a spherically shaped recess 258 to accommodate the spherically shaped outer race 248 of each of the bearing constructions 246.. Each of the brackets is formed with a threaded bore to receive a threaded securing ring 260 to accommodate assembly of the race 248 in each of the brackets and to prevent dislodgment of the bearing races 248. Each of the brackets is provided with a split region orslot 262 and the portions 264 adjacent the slots 262 are bored to accommodate clamping bolts 266 for clamping the brackets 254 to the outer races 248 of the bearings 246.

By releasing the clamping bolts 266, the head 200 may be angularly adjusted to a position such as that illustrated in FIGURE 14 to dispose the cutting instrumentalities or blades in angular positions with respect to the floor or surface to be planed or finished. When the proper angle of the head 200 has been attained, the clamping bolts 266 may be drawn up to hold the head in ad justed angular position.

The cutter or planer assembly is particularly illustrated in FIGURES 13 through 15. The assembly includes a backing plate 268, a front or frontal'plate 270.-and a plate spring or member 272,'the members 268, 270 and 272 being secured to the member or holder 250 by means.

' of a plurality of screws 274.

Disposed between the spring plate 272 and the frontal plate 270 are the cutting instrumentalities or planers 276 each of which is of substantially rectangular shape.

Disposed between the upper edges of each of the cutters 276 and the lower edge of the backing plate 268.is a plurality of members, rods or cords.280 ofresilient material such as semihard rubber or the like. An intermediate member of the group of members 280-unay be .of metal, which, in conjunction with the resilient or yield able members of the group provides an equalizing means which tends to permit each cutter or planer to apply, pressure against the surface being finished irrespective of whether the surface being reworked is level or Whether it has high or low spots. The use of such metal rod slightly restricts cushioning for each cutter or scraper and causes somewhat greater pressure to be applied to high. 0

spots and conversely causes somewhat less pressure to be applied to low spots than if only the resilient backing material were used. 'The resilient backing means also tends to reduce vibration or chattering of the cutters or planers during surfacing operations.

As shown in FIGURE 15, the region of the spring plate 272 adjacent the cutting or planing instrumentalities 276 may be provided with a plurality of spaced slots or kerfs 282 to provide a series of resilient or spring-like fingers 284.-

The fingers 284 frictionally engage a major surface of each of the cutters 276 to frictionally retain the cutters in position in the holder. The cutters or cutting instrumentalities 276 may be m-adeof hardened steel, metallic carbide, ceramic, diamonds or other material suitable for finishing or refinishing wood, concrete, terrazzo or com-.

' position surfaces.

The apparatus shown in FIGURES 8 through 15 is operated in the following manner: The motors 186 and 228 are supplied with electric energy from a suitablev source through extension cords or conductors (not shown). of sufiicient length to permit traverse of the apparatus over the floor surface area to be finished or refinished.

The operator manipulates the clamping screws 266 and adjusts the angularity of the head 200 to position the cutting instrumentalities 276 at a desired angle to the floor to be surfaced so that a cutting edge 277 of each of i mission provided by the pulleys 230 and 224, the belt 2 232, the crank pins 234, connecting rods 216 and the arms 210, the arms are oscillated and the oscillation transmitted thereby to the member 250 which together with the cutting instrumentalities 276 is reciprocated in directions lengthwise of the frame plate 160. I

As the edges 277 of the cutters 276 are reciprocated, the cutters remove material from the surface to be refinished. The operator, through the control 184, establishes a drive to the casters 180 to propel the apparatus over the surface to be finished or refinished at a desired rate of speed. The operator controls or guides the direction of traverse of the apparatus over the floor surface by manipulation of the tiller 172 to control the dirigible wheels 166.

Through this arrangement the cutting or scraping strokes of the instrumentalities 276 are in rectilinear directions and all of the cutters move through the same rectilinear distances so that no score marks remain on the finished surface. It is to be understood that a single elongated cutting instrumentality may be carried by the head 200 in lieu of the individual cutters 276 if desired.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

We claim:

1. In a surfacing apparatus, in combination, a base member having a fore and aft end, a surface finishing instrumentality, electrically energizable motor means mounted on said base member, means mounting the surface finishing instrumentality on the fore end of said base member in such fashion that said instrumentality is reciprocable lengthwise relative to said base member and in contact with the surface to be surfaced, means driven by said motor means for recopricating said surface finishing instrumentality, and a plurality of supporting casters for the base member, said instrumentality including a head mounted transversely to the longitudinal axis of said base, a plurality of vertically-depending, side-by-side, blade-like cutter elements adjustably carried on said head and means allowing said blade elements to individually move vertically responsive to surface irregularities.

2. A surface finishing apparatus for wood surfaces including, in combination, a base member having a fore and aft end, a plurality of depending wheels mounted on the base member for supporting and steering the same, electrically energizable motor means mounted on the base member, means establishing a driving connection between the motor means and at least one of said wheels for propelling the apparatus to and fro over a surface to be finished, a bar mounted dependingly on said fore end and transversely to the longitudinal axis of said base member, a surface finishing instrumentality mounted on said bar, said instrumentality including a plurality of verticallydepending, side-by-side, blade-like elements adjustably mounted on said bar, said instrumentality including means allowing said blade elements to move vertically responsive to surface irregularities contacted thereby, a pair of connecting rods, means establishing operative connection between the rods and said bar, power transmission mechanism connected with said motor means and said connecting rods arranged to actuate the connecting rods to reciprocate the bar and surface finishing instrumentality in such fashion that said instrumentality reciprocates to and fro in the direction of travel, a pair of pulleys mounted on said base member, disposed for rotation in a horizontal plane, said connecting rod ends opposite said bar being eccentrically connected to said pulleys, said power trans mission mechanism including a motor means connecting said motor to said pulleys for rotation thereof in the same direction.

3. A surface finishing apparatus for wood surfaces including, in combination, a metal base member of planar shape having a fore and aft end, a plurality of wheels mounted by the base member for supporting and steering the latter, an elongate surfacing head located along the fore end of said apparatus, a coextensive cutter holder secured to the surfacing head, a plurality of verticallydepending cutter blades adjustably carried by said holder in transverse aligned relation, adjustable friction means for retaining the cutter blades in the holder, a resilient cushion mounted in said holder and engageable with a rear edge of each of the cutter blades, a pair of pivot arms mounted on said base member and arranged for piovtal oscillatory movement of the ends of said arms, means connecting said surfacing head with one end of each of said arms, a motor mounted upon the base member, a pair of pulleys journally supported on the base member and adapted to be rotated by said motor, connecting rods connecting with the other end of said pivot arms and said pulleys respectively, and eccentric means joining the connecting rods with the pulleys and arranged whereby rotation of the pulleys effects reciprocatory lengthwise movements of the surfacing head, the holder and the cutter blades effecting abrading contact of the cutting instrumentality in the direction of movement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 567,821 9/1896 Emig 1441 19 687,795 12/ 1901 Tullock 51-175 758,424 4/ 1904 Darrell 144-119 X 817,013 4/ 1906 Spence et a1 51-175 890,312 6/ 1908 Stoll 144-419 X 928,702 7/ 1909 Rodman 5 1--17 5 1,407,161 2/1922 Klocke 74-40 1,829,531 10/1931 Neilsen 144-115 2,288,782 7 1942 Brown 144-119 2,3 89,549 11/ 1945 Ross 5158 2,620,244 12/ 1952 Beatty 308-29 HAROLD D. WI-HTEHEAD, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL B. ROTHBERG, WILLIAM W. DYER, 1a.,

ROBERT C. RIORDON, Examiners. 

1. IN A SURFACING APPARATUS, IN COMBINATION, A BASE MEMBER HAVING A FORE AND AFT END, A SURFACE FINISHING INSTRUMENTALITY, ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZABLE MOTOR MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE MEMBER, MEANS MOUNTING THE SURFACE FINISHING INSTRUMENTALITY ON THE FORE END OF SAID BASE MEMBER IN SUCH FASHION THAT SAID INSTRUMENTALITY IS RECIPROCABLE LENGTHWISE RELATIVE TO SAID BASE MEMBER AND IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE TO BE SURFACED, MEANS DRIVEN BY SAID MOTOR MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID SURFACE FINISHING INSTRUMENTALITY, AND A PLURALITY OF SUPPORTING CASTERS FOR THE BASE MEMBER, SAID SUBSTANTIALLY INCLUDING A HEAD MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID BASE, A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY-DEPENDING, SIDE-BY-SIDE, BLADE-LIKE CUTTER ELEMENTS ADJUSTABLY CARRIED ON SAID HEAD AND MEANS ALLOWING SAID BLADE ELEMENTS TO INDIVIDUALLY MOVE VERTICALLY RESPONSIVE TO SURFACE IRREGULARITIES. 